Valeo - First Half 2007 Results

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) - The Board of Directors, which met today,
approved the summarized consolidated accounts for the first half
2007.

In millions of euros(X) 1st half Quarterly variation 2007
2007 2006 Change 2nd quarter 1st quarter
Total operating revenues 5,286 5,309 -0.4% 2,646 2,640
Gross margin 810 835 -3.0% 414 396
% of sales 15.5% 15.9% -0.4pt 15.9% 15.2%
Operating income 169 169 = 90 79
% of total revenues 3.2% 3.2% = 3.4% 3.0%
Net income attributable to
Company shareholders 71 94 -24.5% 38 33
% of total revenues 1.3% 1.8% -0.5pt 1.4% 1.3%
Basic earnings per share 0.92 1.23 -25.2% 0.50 0.42
(in euros)

(X) Non audited

First half 2007 Group results

Valeo's total operating revenues stood at 5,286 million euros in
the first half 2007, down by 0.4% versus the first half 2006.
Adjusted for exchange rate variations (-1.6%) and changes in the
consolidated reporting entity (-0.5%), sales increased by 1.7%, in
line with the growth in the Group's reference automotive production.

The gross margin for the half totaled 810 million euros,
representing for 15.5% of sales, versus 835 million euros or 15.9% of
sales in the first half 2006. The Group considers that the rise in
raw material prices reduced the gross margin for the half by 0.6
points. The gross margin in the second quarter increased by 0.7
points versus the first quarter.

Operating income amounted to 169 million euros, unchanged versus
the same period in 2006. It represents 3.2% of total operating
revenues, the same ratio as in the first half 2006. Operating income
includes a net expense of 17 million euros under "other income and
expenses", versus an expense of 32 million euros in 2006.

Income before tax was 126 million euros versus 152 million euros
in 2006. This includes other financial expenses of 20 million euros,
versus other financial income of 9 million euros in 2006 which
included a capital gain of 20 million euros from the sale of the
shareholding in Parrot.

Income tax totaled 50 million euros versus 44 million euros in
the first half 2006.

The net income attributable to Valeo shareholders was 71 million
euros for the half, versus 94 million euros for the first half 2006.
Basic earnings per share totaled 0.92 euros, versus 1.23 euros in
2006.

Free cash flow(1) amounted to 78 million euros, unchanged
versus the first half 2006.

At 30 June 2007, Valeo's net debt stood at 940 million euros
versus 968 million euros at 31 December 2006. The debt-to-equity
ratio was 51% versus 55% at year-end 2006.

The order intake for the half represented 1.2 times OEM sales
for the period, a level equivalent to that of the first half 2006.

Highlights of the first half

The Group's technological innovation potential continues to be
widely recognized by the market. Valeo's blind spot detection system,
winner of a 2007 PACE Award, will be available on selected Buick and
Cadillac models from 2008. The Park4UTM parking assistance system,
introduced as a world premiere on the Volkswagen Touran in the middle
of the first half, has had an excellent launch and will soon be
available on nine additional models. The StARSTM micro-hybrid system,
which has equipped the Citroën C2 and C3 - also as a world premiere -
since 2004, is now standard equipment on the "smart fortwo mhd" which
will be available at the end of year, and the Group expects new
commercial developments for this starter-alternator technology in the
short term.

The optimization of the industrial footprint, which aims to
support customers' growth while constantly maintaining a competitive
cost base, continued. The Group opened two sites in Asia, one in
Pusan, South Korea (Engine Cooling) and the other in Foshan, China
(Lighting Systems). Moreover, the percentage of productive headcount
in competitive-cost countries continued to progress, representing 55%
of the total versus 51% at 30 June 2006.

In order to reinforce its three Domains on a global basis and
strengthen its internal growth potential, the Group announced the
creation of two joint ventures in India, one for the Security Systems
product family and the other for the Electrical Systems product
family. Benefiting from the dynamism of the local market, these two
operations are expected to generate sales of some 100 million euros
in 2010.

Outlook

For the second half, the Group forecasts an acceleration of global
automotive production, driven by North America and Asia.

Valeo continues to concentrate on its strategy based on innovation
and the focusing of the product portfolio on its three Domains. The
Group is confident in its capacity to achieve its objective of an
operational margin of 6% in 2010 and the doubling of its return on
capital.

Valeo is an independent industrial group dedicated to the design,
production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for
cars and trucks. It is one of the world's leading automotive
suppliers. The Group has 133 production sites, 67 R&D centers, 9
distribution platforms, and employs 72,300 people in 29 countries
worldwide.

For more information about the Group and its activities,
please visit our web site http://www.valeo.com

(1) Non-GAAP item: cash flow less taxes less variation of working
capital requirements less financial expenses plus subsidies less
gross investments in tangibles and intangibles.

For all additional information, please contact:
Kate Philipps
Group Communications Director
Tel: +33-1-40-55-20-65
Remy Dumoulin
Investor Relations
Tel: +33-1-40-55-29-30

ots Originaltext: Valeo Management Services
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For all additional information, please contact: Kate Philipps, Group
Communications Director, Tel: +33-1-40-55-20-65; Remy Dumoulin,
Investor Relations, Tel: +33-1-40-55-29-30